Uncharted State
Welcome to UnchartED State, the podcast remapping higher education for a changing world. Hear from bold thinkers, industry experts, and higher ed leaders as they unpack how professional and continuing education is transforming work, learning, and opportunity.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Mississippi State University or the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
Episodes
18 episodes
Inside the Pressure Cooker: Online Education, Policy, and the Push to Adapt with Stacy Snow
In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Stacy Snow, Principal at Kennedy & Company, to explore the evolving pressures shaping online education today. From shifting federal a...
A Moment to Celebrate: Graduation Season & What’s Ahead
No new episode of UnchartED State this week! We’re pausing to celebrate our graduates and this milestone season.Catch up on past episodes, share your favorites, and stay tuned. New conversations are coming this summer! 🎓
What AI Means for the University with Dr. Julie Jordan
In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Dr. Julie Jordan, Mississippi State University's first Senior Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance.Dr. Jordan shares how AI has evol...
VR, AI, and the Future of the Classroom with Dr. Ryan Walker
In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Dr. Ryan Walker, associate professor at Mississippi State University and director of the VR certificate program.From virtual rainforests to AI-powered ...
The Future of Alumni Engagement with John Rush
How are universities rethinking fundraising and alumni engagement in today’s rapidly evolving landscape?In this episode of UnchartED State, hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt welcome John Rush, Vice President for Development and A...
Telling Our Story: AI, Influence, and the Future of Higher Ed Marketing with Thomas Broadus
What does it mean to market a university in a time of rapid change?In this episode of UnchartED State, hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Thomas Broadus, Chief Marketing Officer at Mississippi State University. With more than...
Building Range: Rethinking General Education with Dr. Jonathan Woodward
What if the future belongs not to specialists, but to those with range?In this episode of UnchartED State, co-hosts Sean Owen and Maddie Ludt are joined by Dr. Jonathan Woodward, Vice President of Teaching & Learning and Community Ca...
Faculty Governance and Higher Education's Future with Dr. Stacy Haynes
How does faculty leadership evolve when higher education itself is changing faster than ever?In this episode of Uncharted State, Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt sit down with Dr. Stacy Haynes, professor of sociology and president of Mississip...
From Student to Startup with Justin Samuels
Careers aren’t linear and learning shouldn’t be either. Justin Samuels has lived that reality, from working in higher ed to senior engineering at Mailchimp to founding RenderATL. Along the way, he's learned one truth: the skills you...
Who Needs College Anymore with Kathleen deLaski
Who needs college anymore? What should higher education look like in an era of rapid change, AI, and evolving workforce demands?In this episode of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt sit down with Ka...
What's Next for Higher Education in 2026 with Dr. Asim Ali
As 2026 begins, what changes will define higher education? And how do we prepare learners for a world where the jobs, technologies, and challenges of tomorrow don't yet exist?In Episode 8 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Ma...
Cultivating Agile Universities in Uncertain Times with Dr. Kim Siegenthaler
What happens when the pace of change in higher education outpaces the systems designed to sustain it? And how do institutions adapt intentionally and intelligently to a future where AI, shifting learner needs, and rapid disruption are the norm?...
Reimagining Teaching and Learning with Dr. Shannon Harmon
What does it take to rethink teaching for a new generation of learners? And how can curiosity, reflection, and shared inquiry reshape the future of higher education?In this episode of Uncharted State, Dr. Shannon Harmon—faculty ...
People-First Leadership with Dr. Will Reed
What does it mean to be a people-first leader? And how can empathy, openness, and shared power transform the way we lead?In Episode 5 of Uncharted State, Dr. Will Reed—military leader turned educator—joins Susan Seal, Sean Owen,...
The New Learner Journey
Who is the “new learner,” and how are universities redefining education to meet them where they are?In Episode 4 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt explore what it means to learn, teach, and grow in an er...
Bridging Education and Industry
As industries evolve and AI reshapes the workforce, universities face a new challenge: preparing learners not just for their first job—but for a lifetime of reinvention.In Episode 3 of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and...